9 9 Martial Talent!

Yon kept on absorbing everything that was happening inside the dojo while retaining it inside his mind. One group of the students practiced Ji-Geiko which meant free sparring practice.

On the other group they practiced Waza-Geiko, a technique practice in which the student learns to use the different techniques with a receiving partner. Sometimes he could also notice them execute the three basic cuts he learned and even more cuts he doesn't know.

No matter how sloppy they were since it has only been 8 months, it was still something that Yon can improve later on himself using his very own understanding and comprehension.

Another group practiced the Kakari-Geiko which is a short, intense, attack practice with a receiving partner. It's intended to mold the offensive mindset and the build up stamina. Yon could see the students easily get distracted maintaining their concentration when practicing.

And finally, his classmate's group where practicing the Kiri-Kaeshi which is successively striking the left and right men while moving in a preset order. This is the first advanced technique kenodas(Kendo practitioner) learn, and continue to do so, because of its importance in developing correct distance and pacing as well as building up stamina.

Normally there are two phases for training in Kendo practice. The first one is called Tandoku Dosa/Training along that's done for 4 months which his classmates have already completed. They are now on the 2nd phase called Sohtai Dosa/Pair Training that's done for 2 months while gradually putting on armour (bogu).

As time passed by, the practice was finally done but Yon still has his eyes closed. When the students were mostly gone away only Yon was left along with Chouji and Iruka. The other instructors have also gone home already and the dojo was already arranged back after using.

"How long are we going to wait for him Tokisawa Sensei." asked Iruka who probably wants to go home already. If he wasn't in charge of the keys for the dojo he too would have gone home already.

"Just a bit more Iruka san. I promise to make it up to you when the time comes."

"Alright, I'll hold on to your workds Tokisawa sensei."

As the sun finished setting, Yon opened his eyes and was greeted by his grandfather and Iruka. 'I was too occupied on comprehending what I just learned, I completely forgot about them.' Yon got up first and bowed to them.

"Sorry to keep you wait for too long Jisan, Iruka sensei." 'I really hope they don't get mad at me or something.'

Contrary to his expectation his grandfather smiled at him.

"Hahaha it was nothing, as long as you've gained something then everything's fine." Iruka was surprised for Chouji's words. 'What does he mean by his grandson gaining something?'

'what? How did he-' he suddenly remembered how he behaved in front of his grandfather yesterday. How easily he understood what was explained once and comprehended the basics practice of Kendo after seeing his grandfather do it once. 'Sigh, so I messed up by getting too excited huh'

"Iruka san. Just like I promised. I will make it up to you later. We can close the dojo now and go home."

"Huh? oh okay. You don't know how glad am I to hear that." Iruka was easily brought out of whatever he was thinking about Chouji's words earlier becoming completely oblivious about it especially the part where Yon was sitting with his eyes closed for a very long suspicious time

Since everything was already arranged back to normal, all they had to do was close and lock the dojo properly.

"See you tommorow Iruka, thank you for everything today."

"Your welcome Tokisaw Sensei. See you both tommorow."

When Chouji and Yon arrived home they first had their dinner.

"Yon."

"What is it, Jisan?"

"How much have you comprehended today?" This time it was pretty much obvious to his grandfather his talent for comprehension was.

As someone who became enlightened to the path of immortality this comprehension and other talents will start to become even more as he raises his cultivation. Since his grandfather was a family, he didn't find it a problem if he knows about it. 'Should I just tell him that I'm no longer an ordinary human? Although I'm just a Houstian realm cultivator with a century lifespan. I'm still a cultivator, what to do. Hmmmn'

Seeing his grandson hesitate chouji changed his question. "Do you think you'll be able to handle training in pair with an instructor? I just don't see giving your all if you trained with one of those students."

"I think I can handle a low level instructor now, Jisan." He lied, he actually have no idea and considering that he is probably not going to use his reiryoku, it would be best to be humble about it.

A cultivator not using his qi/chi/chakra/spirit energy or reiryoku is still naturally physically strong. That's why there are body martial arts manuals to build up an immortals strong body rendering it almost invulnerable.

But Yon is inside a world where not even a normal martial arts manual could be found. Furthermore Yon is still in the initial stages of cultivation where his body is yet to be cleansed of any impurities. Although he's stronger now, he doesn't know how strong he is against a normal human physically, he'll probably know by tommorow.

"Good. However the lowest rank of the instructors is 5th dan (Go-dan) with a minimum of 15 years experience of practice and the highest being me in the rank of 7th dan (Nana-dan)" Chouji boasted in front of his grandson.

"Oh, So you're only 1 rank below the top Jisan?"

"Hehe, actually I will be able to raise my rank to the top next year when turn I 48 years old Hahaha!" Chouji head became bigger as he said that.

"Amazing." Yon praised to his grandfather but the way he said it was more like a normal comment to something ordinary.

"Hmmn? What's with the lack of excitement to that praise grandson?"

"Nothing much. I just want to know more techniques is all."

"Is that so? Then do you want to learn the Shikake-waza and Oji-waza techniques?"

"Oh! Whatever it is, it sounds amazing. Please teach me!." Yon was perfectly baited.

"Then praise me more! Hahahahaha!"

"Jisan is the best! No, the strongest! Jisan is number one!" Chouji's head became even bigger than earlier. "That's right I am.! Hahahaha"

Open field after the dinner

Yon is once again sitting in a lotus position ready to receive Chouji's instructions about the techniques he mentioned earlier.

"Listen well grandson. Kendo techniques are divided into shikake-waza meaning to initiate a strike and ōji-waza which means a response to an attempted strike, both of which I have told you earlier. Those who wish to use such techniques during practice or competitions often practice each technique with a motodachi/partner. This is a process that requires patience."

Yon was listening to every word his grandfather was saying with his eyes closed. He was in a very deep focus with the eagerness to learn, truly an anime fan.

"Now then, let me start with the Shikake-waza. These attack techniques are used to create an opening in an opponent by initiating an attack, or striking boldly when the opponent has created an opening." His grandfather no longer waited for his confirmation and continue to explain and demonstrate the first move Tobikomi-waza up to the sixth move Debana-waza.

"Next is the Oji-waza. These counter-attack techniques are performed by executing a strike after responding or avoiding an attempted strike by the opponent. This can also be achieved by inducing the opponent to attack, then employing one of the Oji-waza." Once again Chouji didn't immediately prepared himself to explain and demonstrate the moves from the first Nuki-waza up to the last one Kaeshi-waza.

After demonstrating every move, Chouji waited until Yon opened his eyes.

"Althought I saw how uninterested you were on the prospect of having a rank. One of the requirement to acquire a rank is to master the 10 Kendo Kata."

"What is a Kendo Kata Jisan?" asked a very interested and curious Yon. Although he understood the literall meaning of the word, he still asked about it. His grandfather actually waited for his reaction, seeing him so interested was a satisfaction for the old man.

"Ehem, The kendo Kata are fixed patterns that teach kendo practitioners/kendoka the basic elements of swordsmanship. It consists of 7 kata with tachi/long sword and 3 kata with kodachi/short sword, together they make the 10 Kendo Kata." Yon upon hearing his grandfather teach him about kendo kata focused and listened. As soon as his eyes closed, his spirit sense was activated once again giving far more capability on comprehending what was being taught.

After demonstrating the last Kata chouji once again waited for Yon so they can start to practice everything. The point of comprehending a technique is to be able to use it when needed, and to be able to use it one must first practice or train.

Chouji was no longer surprised to see Yon's progress in just a few hours. In fact they were both so absorbed in training that they forgot to check the time. If chouji didn't collapse due to fatigue they would have continued until morning.

A very short of breath Chouji was lying in the open field as he watched his grandson still training what he learned today. But the focus of chouji's stare was Yon's face. He could feel his heart melt upon seeing Yon's smile and excitement as the kid executes a move.

'Grandson, seeing you smile like this almost feel like this is all just a dream. I am relieved that this is all really happening. Wether you are a genius or even if you become the strongest won't matter to me at all. Moments like this, that's all that matters.' Chouji smiled as he passed out.

"Grandpa!" Yon rushed over as soon as he noticed that his grandfather passed out. Fortunately he only fell asleep due to exhaustion. He carried his grandfather back to his room ofcourse using his reiryoku. It has already been awhile since past midnight so Yon didn't bother going to his special training place/hill.

He continued training in the open field and didn't hold back using his cultivation to further develop it along with his Kendo. After all, he doesn't have any martial arts manual and doesn't know where he can get one or if he could even get one since this isn't a cultivation world. He was simply treating kendo as replacement to a martial arts manual for his cultivation.

And as expected, Hollows were attracted to the spirit energy flactuations due to his training. He was able to slay 4 hollows nearby before they could arrive at their house. He had to be very careful not to be seen by anyone since he wasn't a soul reaper who can't be normally seen. After swiftly slaying the 4 hollows using his spirit sword, he absorbed them altogether in the open field of their house. He was able to bring them towards him unlike the very first time that he had to sit in a lotus position where the reishi risiduals were.

Few moments later

He finally had breakthrough to early 5th order Houtian realm and was also able to gain a martial talent unique to any cultivator. When he gain the talent it was like the instructions of the skill was suddenly sent to his brain and he immediately understood the ability.

Space Concealment! [Invincible(novel) reference]

"This is exactly the same as Huang Xiolongs martial spirit ability!" Yon cried out. Space concealment, concealing within space, shadowless, formless - invisible!

End of chapter 9